I think my friend, Dr Kamsiah Haider, struck the right chord with many when she commented on a Malaysiakini story on Oct 5 titled “PAS tells Anwar to sack Tiong, says explanation unreasonable.”

The dentist posted in Facebook: “When PN (Perikatan Nasional) and PAS were playing the role of “the righteous,” they quietly boosted gambling special draws from 8 to 22 times a year—divine multiplication, perhaps?

“The hypocrisy is just too rich. Nobody’s forcing Muslims to gamble or drink—same way no one poured whisky down your throat when you studied overseas. Is our faith so fragile that someone else’s glass of wine or a jackpot ticket can shatter it?

“Meanwhile, in those so-called “holy states,” bribery, abuse of power, and a touch of haram entertainment are apparently halal by silence.”

I am glad that not all Muslims in the country are unnecessarily oversensitive with food and drink served at our public or private events. It will be a very messy and sticky situation if that was the case.

Kamsiah is one Muslim lady who is able to see reason and make efforts to understand issues deemed as religiously sensitive and the grey areas associated with them.

To Muslims who are non-politicians, I take my hat off to them for this very positive attitude which the nation owes a lot to for the existing tolerance and harmony among Malaysians.

It is my contention that some Muslim politicians often act hypocritically on issues like food and drink when it comes to their non-Muslim opponents.

We know why politicians are the problem. They are quick to exploit such matters for political gain, portraying themselves as moral guardians of Islam while using religion to discredit or shame others.

Religion is a very powerful tool in politics and also easily abused.

Malaysians are only too aware that the same politicians may turn a blind eye when similar actions are committed by their own party members or allies.

Many leaders in the component parties in the two major coalitions—PN and PH—are guilty of such hypocrisy.

This is my message to Bersatu MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who started this latest episode of yet another repetitive issue of alcohol—this time, of it being served at a ministry event with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Tiong King Sing in attendance.

Having served in politics for decades, Tiong knows what he can and cannot do at official functions, particularly those involving religious or cultural sensitivities.

Mas Ermieyati had posted a video on Facebook questioning why alcoholic beverages were served at a government event, saying this breached cultural and constitutional norms.

Of course, we know where this was coming from and its motivation.

The Masjid Tanah MP is with the opposition party, Bersatu, which is a component of PN, the coalition in direct confrontation with the ruling PH.

I also wish to advise PAS information chief Ahmad Fahdli Shaari who also waded into the matter that he should seriously take pains to study and verify the issue at hand first before opening his mouth and rudely making the silly call for the head of the minister to roll.

This, coming from Ahmad Fahdli even after Tiong had explained at length that food and drink were not arranged by the ministry but by the private organizers of the Global Travel Meet function.

If I were the minister, I would not bother about a political novice’s statement as it was not his place to mount the challenge in the first place.

I wonder why the top PAS leaders did not take on Tiong instead of asking a ‘little boy’ in their party to do so? Probably, they are aware that Tiong is a tough opponent to handle.  

I am defending Tiong in this case, not because he is a fellow Sarawakian but because he was not in the wrong.

On record, I have also criticized the minister publicly too. When he is right, I will defend him.

As a seasoned politician and current minister, I think that Tiong is well aware of the boundaries that come with public office, especially in a multiracial and multireligious nation.

I believe that after having served in politics for decades, he knows exactly what he can and cannot do at official functions, particularly those involving religious or cultural sensitivities.

Tiong’s record shows that he has never crossed the red line when it comes to religion—a clear testament to his discipline, awareness, and regard for Malaysia’s diverse communities.

Throughout his career, Tiong has faced his share of detractors who have tried to twist or politicize his actions, often with the intent of discrediting him.

However, his political resilience has enabled him to rise above such challenges and credit is due to the minister.

I have no intention to put Tiong high on a pedestal here as I also did not agree with his political maneuvers in Sarawak at times.

However, I have witnessed and seen how he would not hesitate to tell the truth and tick his fellow MPs off, either in Parliament or outside.

For that and on all the occasions when Tiong has championed moderation and inter-ethnic understanding, he has earned my respect.

I appreciate that despite repeated efforts by opponents to run him down as a political leader and minister, Tiong King Sing continues to stand tall—not only as a capable cabinet member but also as a respected figure who represents the best of our nation’s plural political landscape.

Finally, a personal note to Tiong: Please continue to tackle the extremists and bigots in Malaya the way you know best but do be more tactful and understanding with your GPS partners in Sarawak.

I see little wisdom in your attempt to strengthen your party at the expense of a partner.

The right thing to do is to go out and win seats from the opposition, not grabbing seats from a coalition partner.

(Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at [email protected].)